answer back
phrasal verb
answered back; answering back; answers back
somewhat informal
: to reply to someone especially in a rude way
impolite children who answer back when their teacher corrects them
Examples of answer back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Thunder answered back with a 119-98 triumph in OKC in January.
—
Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
However, the Aggies answered back, pushing their lead back to 22 and forcing a South Carolina timeout.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 24 Jan. 2026
The First Wives Club alum gave a NSFW answer back in 2024 at her Love-In Gala, telling E!
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Jackson answered back three plays later.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for answer back
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Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
However, the Aggies answered back, pushing their lead back to 22 and forcing a South Carolina timeout.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 24 Jan. 2026
The First Wives Club alum gave a NSFW answer back in 2024 at her Love-In Gala, telling E!
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Jackson answered back three plays later.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for answer back
Cite this Entry
“Answer back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/answer%20back. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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